Fifth-wheel.



No. 65,403. Patented June 12, I900.

LE BUY 8. WHITE.

F I F T H W H E E L.

(Application filed Mar. 17, 1900.)

(No Model.)

\ n I II FILE.

Wi-lmeooeo ammmto'c UNITED STATES FFICYE.

PATENT LE ROY S. WHITE, OF UNION, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNIONFORGING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

FIFTH-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,403, dated J'une12, 1900.

Application filed March 17, 1900. Serial No. 9,080. (No model.)

To aZl whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, LE ROY S. WHITE, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Union, in the county of Broome and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fifth-Wheels; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the Same. I

This invention relates to fifth-wheels for vehicles; and it consists inthe novel construction and combination of the parts hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the fifth-wheel. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section taken on the line a; 00 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is asection taken on the line y y in Fig. 1.

A is a portion of a vehicle-axle.

B is the lower turn-plate of the fifth-wheel.

The plate B is rigidly secured to the axle and projects on one side ofit. One of the said parts is provided with a recess or socket, and theother said part is provided with a projection or lug, which is securedpermanently in the said socket. A socket b is preferably formed in theaxle, and a lug b is then formed on the lower plate B. The socket andlug are formed in suitable dies or molds in the course of manufacturingthe said parts and are preferably dovetailed or otherwise corrugated orroughened, so that they may be permanently secured together withoutfastening devices. The axle is heated, and the lug on the plate is thenforced into its socket, so that the axle shrinks upon the lug in coolingand secures it permanently. If desired, the lug may be secured in thesocket by lateral pressure on the axle. The axle has also a recess 'i,which engages with one end portion of the lower plate B and relieves thelug of considerable strain.

C is the upper turn-plate of the fifth-wheel, and D is a pin or boltwhich pivots the two plates together. The upper and lower plates areprovided with circular guides which ongage with each other and relievethe pivotpin of strain. The upper plate preferably has a peripheralguide-flange c, which slips over an annular guide-boss cl on the lowerplate. The upper plate also has a circular flange c, which dependswithin the annular boss cl. The lower plate B has also a central boss eon its upper side, which projects within the flange c, and e is a ringon the lower side of the plate B, which forms a socket for the washer E.I

The pivot pin or bolt D has a rectangular portion f near its head, whichengages with a rectangular hole in the upper plate, so that the pin isprevented from revolving.

F is a nut on the lower end of the pivot-pin, and f is a pin forpreventing the nut from working loose.

The upper plate 0 has a curved bearingsurface 9 for the spring whichsupports the vehicle-body. This spring is of any approved constructionand is connected in any ap proved manner to the upper plate. Thebearing-surface g and the spring are preferably arranged directly overthe axle.

I-I represents reach-sockets on the rear part of the upper plate, and his a lug which projects upward from the lower plate B between thesockets H. The lug h strikes the sockets H and forms a stop, whichprevents the fifthwheel from being turned too far in either direction.

WhatI claim is 1. In a fifth-wheel, the combination, with an axle, of aturn-plate, one of the said parts being provided with a projecting lugand the other said part being provided with a socket which is contractedupon the said lug said socket and lug having interlocking surfaces sothat the said axle and plate are thereby securely connected, and aturn-plate pivotally connected with the aforesaid turn-plate,substantially as set forth.

2. In a fifth-wheel, the combination, with an axle provided with asocket, of aturn-plate provided with a lug upon which the said socket iscontracted said socket and lug having interlocking surfaces so that thesaid axle and plate are thereby securely connected, and a turn-platepivotally connected with the aforesaid turn-plate, substantially as setforth.

3. In a fifth wheel, the combination, with a turn-plate provided with a,projecting lug, of an axle provided with a socket which engages with oneend portion of the said plate and having also a second socket which iscontracted upon the said lug thereby securely connecting the said axleand plate, and a turnplate pivotally connected with the aforesaidtnrnplate, substantially as set forth.

4;. In a fifth-wheel, the combination, with an upper turn-plate providedwith projecting reach-sockets at one end and having acurved seat for thevehicle-spring, of a lower turnplate pivoted to the said upper plate andprovided with a stop-lug which projects between the said sockets, and anaxle secured to the lower turn-plate and arranged under the said seat,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LE ROY S. \VHITE.

Witnesses:

CHAS. E. WHITE, CLAIR M. MERSEREAU.

